The International Centre for Local and Regional Development
Company Limited by Guarantee
Trustees. Annual Report {Incorporating the Director's Report)
Year ended 31 July 2023
The trustees, who are also the directors for the purposes of company law, present their report and the
financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 July 2023.
Reference and administrative details
Registered charity name
The International Centre for Local and Regional Development
Charity registration number
104019
Company registration number Nl 060144
Principal office and registered Belfast School of Architecture & Built Environment
office
Ulster University
York Street
BT15 1ED
Belfast
The trustees
Mr D Mcsorfey
Prof G Knapp
Ms F Mccandless
Ms M Maclntyre
Prof L Maguire
Prof B Donnellan
Mr P Maguire
Mr K Lynch
(Resigned 24 February 2023)
(Appointed 7 March 2023)
(Appointed 8 April 2024)
Company secretary
Ms Caroline Creamer
Auditor
Finegan Gibson Ltd
Chartered accountants & statutory auditor
Causeway Tower
9 James Street South
Belfast
BT2 8DN
Bankers
Bank of Ireland
1 Donegall Square South
Belfast
BT15LR
Solicitors
Elliot Dufy Garrett
Royston House
34 Upper Queen Street
Belfast
BT16FD

The International Centre for Local and Regional Development
Company Limited by Guarantee
Trustees. Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (contlnued)
Year ended 31 July 2023
structure, governance and management
Status and Administration
The International Centre for Local and Regional Development (ICLRD) is an incorporated charity
which was incorporated on the 11 July 2006. Details of the registered office, Executive Committee
members and advisers and other relevant information are given on page 1.
The International Centre for Local and Regional Development is a company limited by guarantee and
is governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association. The Gompany officially registered with
The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland in November 2017- Northern Ireland Charity Number
NIC104019.
Organisation
The ICLRD is a North-South-US partnership established in 2006 to explore and expand the
contribution that planning and the development of physical, social and economic infrastructures can
make to improve the lives of people on the island of Ireland and elsewhere. The partner institulions
include= the Maynooth University Social Sciences Institute (incorporating the National Institute for
Regional and Spatial Analysis {NIRSA)) at Maynooth University. the Belfast School of Architecture and
the Built Environment at Ulster University". and the National Centre for Smart Growth Research and
Education, University of Maryland.
Each of the current partners brings together complementary expertise and networks on both a
North-south and Ea5t-West basis- creating a unique, all-island and intemational centre. The ICLRD
continues to expand its collaboration with other institutions and has established working relationships
with individual faculty and researchers from universities and research institutions including= Mary
Immaculate College-university of Limerick, TU Dublin. University College Dublin, and the University of
Manchester. The ICLRD is very open to involving other academics and research institutions in its
activities. The ICLRD continues to work closely with other organisations involved in cross-border
research and activities including the local authority-led cross-border ne￿OrkS.
The current Executive Committee Members are fully briefed on the ICLRD'S mission and activities and,
on joining the Committee were advised of their legal responsibilities as outlined in the current Articles
and Memorandum of Association {including requirements in regard to the code of conduct and conflict
of interest).
The Executive Committee Members have ultimate legal and financial responsibility for the affairs of
the ICLRD, although the management of the organisation is generally delegated to the staff, through
the ExeGUtive Officer. Since May 2014, this responsibility lies with the Director, Caroline Creamer.
The Executive Committee meets on a quarterly basis - or more frequently as and when required.
The Executive Committeè Members are accountable for the activities of the ICLRD. They provide
direction and leadership, oversee the ICLRD'S finances, and approve projects. The Executive Officer
Goordinates these activities.
The number of Executive Committee Members currently on the Board of ICLRD is 7, but the Board
may from time to time register an increase or decrease in Executive Members.

The International Centre for Local and Regional Development
Company Limited by Guarantee
Trustees. Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (contlnu8d)
Year ended 31 July 2023
The current 7 Executive Committee Members include an independent chair, three independent
Non-Executive Directors, and represenlatives appointedlnominated by each of the institutions that are
'core partners, of the ICLRD and who are also subscribers to the Memorandum of Association:
(a)
Maynooth University:
(b)
Ulster University. and
(c)
University of Maryland.
The post of Vice-chair is currently vacant, with the Board deciding in 2022 not to fill this position,
Rather. where the Chair is unable to attend a Board meeting, the Trustee from the host institute will
stand in as 'Acting Chairf.
Additional Non-Executive Committee Members from private and non-profit bodies, wilh an interest in
the ICLRD'S activities. may be invited to join the Board in the future. The Executive Committee
Members may, from lime to time and at any resolution of the Board at their absolute discretion, make
such regulations as they see fit relating to the Executive Committee Membership of the ICLRD.
Committee Members may also, from time to time and at any time by like resolution at their discretion,
alter such regulations to such an extent and in such manner as the Executive Committee Members
shall see fit.
The Executive Board is supported in its activities by an Independent Advisory Board. The Advisory
Board will provide a link with institutions and individuals in the academic world, government,
non-governmental organisations and the private Sector on both sides of the Atlantic. Meetings of the
Board are co-chaired by Mr. Padraig Maguire, Senior Planner, Meath County Council (member of the
Executive Board) and Prof. Peter Roberts. Former Chairperson of Northern Ireland Housing Executive
(NIHE). Meetings during this financial year took place on..
71h March 2023;
14th September 2022 O'oindy with Executive Board),. and
41h May 2022.
In July 2017, the inaugural meetin9 of the ICLRD Research Forum was held in Belfast. The purpose
of this Forum is to provide the research network with a structure through which they can inform future
work programmes and funding applications. while also crealing a space in which they can identify
common interests and opportunities for organising shared events and jointly penning research articles.
In November 2022, Prof. Diana Fitzsimons was appointed as Independent Chair and the Research
Forum met on-line. for the first time since COVID pandemic, on 9th February 2023.
To strengthen the relationship between the three operational levèls of the ICLRD - namely, Executive
Board, Advisory Forum and Research Forum- the Execulive Board has sanctioned Ihat:
The Chair of the Research Forum will hold a seat on the Advisory Board. and will attend
Executive Board meetings in an 'observerf capacity;
A Co-chair of the Advisory Board (where not already an Executive Board member) will attend
the Executive Board meetings in an 'observer' capacity.
In support of the day-to-day operations of the programme, the following procedureslmanua15 were put
in place andlor updated during this financial year=
ICLRD Financial Administration and Management (updated February 2023. and reviewed
annually)-
ICLRD Fraud Policy (approved January 2019, and reviewed annually).
ICLRD GDPR and Privacy Statement (approved August 2019, and reviewed annually):
ICLRD Risk Register (standing item)- and
ICLRD Register of Interests (standing item- with annual review every August. thus aligning
with ICLRD'S financial year).

The International Centre for Local and Regional Development
Company Limited by Guarantee
Trustees. Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (continued)
Year ended 31 July 2023
During the Gourse of thi5 financial year. the Executive Board met on five occasions.
20 June 2023.,
4April 2023 (also the AGM);
16 February 2023.,
23 November 2022., and
14 September 2022 O'oint with Advisory Board).
Objectives and activities
The ICLRD has a specific role to play in contributing to the social, economic and territorial cohesion of
the island of Ireland through-
Addressin9 information gaps and providing new insights through independent joined-up
research and policy advice on cross-border and all-island spatial planning and local and
regional development issues {e.g. governance and cross-border collaborations, community
development, economic development. tourism, renewables and the green economy, the
environment, service provision, etc.).,
Improving the Gapacity of communities and local. regional and national government
representatives and officials to engage in mutually beneficial cross-border cooperation
through capacity buildinglanimation programmes.
Assisting local governments and communities in translating policy into 'on the ground. action.
Acting as a catalyst and conduit to bring relevant public and private actors, North and South.
together to work on common goals; and
Promoting international cooperation and exchanges.
Mission Statement- Public benefit
The public benefit of the ICLRD is in the advancement of practical cooperation and mutual
understanding between both jurisdictions on the island of Ireland by bridging the policy-practitioner
divide and pursuing increased cooperation and capacity among regional and local authorities in spatial
planning. economic development. regeneration and conflict resolution and reconciliation on the island
of Ireland. This is achieved through the advancement of education via action research, the provision
of training, capacity-building and anirnation programmes, and the holding of consultation events on
emerging policies and directives.
The ICLRD researches and promotes cooperation in the areas of spatial planning, regional
development. place-making, government and governance, sustainable development, community
development, professional education. climate change, environmental management and protection.

The International Centre for Local and Regional Development
Company Limited by Guarantee
Trustees. Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) {continuedJ
Year ended 31 July 2023
Objectives and activities (contlnued)
The ICLRD is focused on building the GapaGity of regional and local authorities to manage spatial
planning on the island of Ireland as a whole. The ICLRD provides independent. joined-up research
and policy advicè on cross-border and all-island spatial planning and local and regional development.
The Centre plays a proactive role in peace and reconcilialion on the island by bringing together
policymakers, practitioners and academics, North and South, to work on common goals in the areas of
coordinated spatial planning and social and economic development at local, regional and national
levels. It does this through research. policy advice and publications; professional education and
capacity building programmes Ihat assist local governments and communities to translate policy into
'on the ground. action,- and active outreach and ne￿OrkIng that includes conferences, workshops and
international cooperation and exchanges to identify best practices.
Stimulating economic growth and improving the living conditions to alleviate and prevent social conflict
is at the heart of the Centre's mission. The ICLRD is focused on building the capacity of regional and
local authorities, development agencies, Gross-border networks and community and volLtntary
organisations to identify strategic areas of cooperalion.
Through its research and professional education programmes, the ICLRD works with policymakers
and local leaders to improve the environments in which people in Ireland, North and South, live and
work. with particular emphasis on the needs of marginalised and divided communities. It combines the
promotion of regional planning and development as a tool for competitiveness with local planning and
development as a way to remedy Ihe continuing problems of social disadvantage.
The ICLRD brings together an interdisciplinary partnership of academics, practitioners and senior
policy-makers in the areas of regional and community planning. cross-border cooperation,
governance. community and economic development and mapping analysis.
It draws upon the
expertise of Maynooth University, Ulster Universsty. and the University of Maryland to tackle the
challenges facing Ireland. North and South. It provides a model for others to follow= a prestigious
cross-jurisdictional research and development Centre that draws upon the intellectual capital of
third-level institutions and research Centres at home and abroad to deal with key social, economic and
environmental issues facing the island of Ireland - and countries in Europe and further afield that want
to learn from Ireland.
Target
Each year the ICLRD seeks to undertake action research that contributes to the advancement of
education by fostering and building an understanding of the complex all-island and cross-border
dynamics and drivers of change in cross-jurisdiction cities, towns and rural areas. Our conferences.
technical workshops and participation in networks provide policy and operational linkages between
central and local policy-makers and among officials and practitioners. Finally, our executive training
programmes help local officials acquire the skills and the cutting-edge tools for effective planning and
management in a challenging context. Since its inception. the ICLRD has organised its work around
three spatial scales- EU and all-island. sub-regional which includes cross-border- and local.
Through its activities the ICLRD is facilitating forums to foster the exchange of experience and best
practices. It is also supporting joint North-south cooperation in inter-regional, including cross-border.
initiatives along the lines encouraged by the EU and its structural funds.

The International Centre for Local and Regional Development
Company Limited by Guarantee
Trustees. Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (continuedj
Year ended 31 July 2023
Objectives and activities {¢ontinued)
Principal activities
The IGLRD uses a variety of strategies to undertake its work, including:
Engaging in action research with local governments. communities and central agencies that
contributes to the practical understanding of the complex inter-jurisdictional and cross-border
dynamics and drivers of change-
Undertaking case study research to evaluate and develop good practice models.
Publishing identified good practices and strategic policy advice.,
Hosting workshops and fora on key themes, as well as the development and delivery of
training modules",
Acting as a catalyst and facilitating community groups and local governments in the
identification and roll-out of local development initiatives,- and
Providing sustained strategic cooperation, rather than 'one-off projects, among academic
institutions. the private sector and public authorities.
Strategic report
The following sections for achievements and performance and financial review form the strategic
report of the charity.
Achievements and performance
The ICLRD partners worked on the following major projects in the period of this audit:
Applied Research Actlvltles
During this audit period. the vast majority of the Centre's work programme was dedicated to technical
assistance projects (as outlined below). In terms of research activities, the ICLRD continued to
actively promote the Centre's research findings at every available opportunity and source new funded
programmes of activity.
One such significant applied-research commission undertaken during this reporting period was as
follows:

The International Centre for Local and Regional Development
Company Limited by Guarantee
Trustees. Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (contlnuad)
Year ended 31 July 2023
InPLACE.' The Changing Spatial Relationship between Home and Workplace
The overall aim of the InPLACE study is to elucidate the impacts of pre- and post-COVlD commuting
on people and place by considering the changing spatial relationships be￿een home and workplace.
Taking a case study approach. and an island of Ireland perspective. the research examined the
interplay between home. community and workplace across seven towns that experience varying levels
of outcommuting and, in particular. long-duration commuting {i.e. in excess of 45 minutes each way).
The study also included a focus on towns in Ihe State of Maryland, USA. Following an almost
o-year period of proposal refinement and sourcing of funds. the InPLACE (Investigaling Planning,
Placemaking and Commuting) study commenced in April 2021. This was originally envisaged as a
24-month research programme. scheduled to conclude in May 2023. with delivery to take place over
iwo-phases:
Phase 1: April 2021 March 2022;
Phase 2: April 2022- March 2023.
Final Report: May 2023.
However. due to COVID-19 lockdowns and restrictions on travel and numbers meeting, and also
taking account of community wishes around when fieldwork takes place. the roll-out of Phase 1 was
delayed. As a result, Phase 1 did not conclude until September 2022. This led to a delay in the start
of Phase 2 - and will likely lead to a no-cost delay to the conclusion of the project. The revised
timelines for the project are as follows:
Phase 1: April 2021- September 2022;
Phase 2: October 2022- September 2023;
Final Report: December 2023.
In funding temis, this research was made possible by research grants received from the following
bodies.. Office of the Planning Regulator (OPR), Local Government Management Agency (LGMA), the
Department of Housing, Local Govemment and Heritage, Clare County Council, Cork County Council,
Tomar Trust. the Department for Infrastructure Nl and the Maryland Department of Transport.
The research team draws on ICLRD colleagues from Maynooth University, Ulster University,
University College Dublin. Mary Immaculate College, Limerick and University of Maryland. In terms
of project governance. the work programme is overseen by..
Operational Partnership Group- involving the research team and funding agencies. and the
Research Advisory Group- involving representatives from Translink, QUB, Grow Remote.
Rural Residents Ne￿Ork/Rural Community Network. Wexford Development Partnership and
Western Development Commission.
Taking a case study approach. Phase 1 focused on three towns:
Ennistymon-LahinGh, County Clare (as a low commutinglcontrol town)
2. Newtownrnountkennedy, County Wicklow
3. Dundrum, County Down.
The Interim Report. drawing on Phase 1 findings (qualitative and quantitative) was prepared in
September 2022., and ratified by both the Operational Partnership Group and the Research Advisory
Group in October 2022.
Phase 2 commenced in October 2022. focusing on a further four case study towns:
Kantuck-Banteer. County Cork
2. Aghagallon, County Antrim
3. Sallins. County Kildare
4. Mountbellew-moylough, County Galway.

The International Centre for Local and Regional Development
Company Limited by Guarantee
Trustees. Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (continued)
Year ended 31 July 2023
The study also includes a US dimension; with the University of Maryland securing funding from the
Maryland Department ofTransportation to replicate the study in Iwo U.S. towns with less than 5.000
residents each and high levels of long distance {45+ minute) commuting. These were=
Middletown in Frederick County. and
North Beach in Calvert County.
By the end June 2023. the survey instrument across all case study towns had been closed, and
analysis and cleaning of the datasel was Unde￿ay. Interviews with key stakeholders in each town
were drawing to a close. with a suite of policy-focused interviews to be undertaken in Autumn 2023
following initial review of the emerging findings and identification of the key policy issues. This will be
supplemented with data from the Census .21 in Northern Ireeland and Census '22 in Ireland data
when published. This is expected in Qtr. 4. Valued at É268,000 (VAT exempt), it is the objective of
this research programme Ihat it will provide policy and practice recommendations to support the role of
local govemment. among others, in place-shaping, place-making and promoting resilient places in a
post-COVlD world.
The Advancoment of Education: Presenting Research Findings and Networking
As opportunities arise, the ICLRD hosts its own events and encourages the ICLRD partners and
affiliales to present at conferences and contribute to articles. The ICLRD website also hosts a briefing
paper series. The ICLRD sponsored Joumal - Borderlands.. The Joumal for Spatial Planning in Ireland
offers an opportunity to publish articles on emerging topics in spatial planning and local and regional
development that are relevant to cross-border cooperation.
Conferences, Seminars & Workshops
As well as organising and hosting conferences and seminars, the ICLRD was also invited to make
presentations at a number of international. European and national events in 2022 and 2023. These
included:
Presentation to the North West Regional Development Group, 22 June 2023, Co-Lab, ATU
Letterkenny Campus. Presentation on ICLRD s Role in Supporting the North West strategic
Gr0￿h Partnership struGtures and process.
Workshop host and presentation at the Innovation Value Institute (IVI) Summit Workshop.
Leadership of Urban Digital Innovation for Public Value. 21 June 2023, Maynooth University in
partnership with the Digital Cities for Change (DC2) Programme at the University of
Cambridge. Presentation on Smarter 'Place-Making'? Regional-LoGal Communities of Practice
Fostering Innovation
Discussant at the Irish Planning Institute (IPI) Planning Education Workshop, 12 June 2023,
online.
Presentation to the Symposium on the Intersection of Spatial Planning, Climate, and Social
Equity. hosted by the Lincoln Institute for Land Policy, the National Cener for Smart Growth at
the University of Maryland, UCD and ICLRD, 7-8 June 2023 in Newman House, Dublin.
Presentation on Spatial Planning in the Irish Border Region.
Panel disGu55ant at the EU Funding Conference hosted by the Irish Regions European Office.
191h April 2023. Athlone. Theme of Connecting. Communicating and Collaborating- Irish
Regions Cooperating Across the EU.

The International Centre for Local and Regional Development
Company Limited by Guarantee
Trustees. Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (conlinued)
Year ended 31 July 2023
Symposium on the Intersectiorp of Spatial Planning, Climate, and Social Equity
Held over two days. Ihis intemational symposium recognised thal 2023 was a time of significant
change at the dawn of the post-COVID era. New territorial Gonflicts, changing technologies, dimate
change, and the pressing need to address social inequities pose significant challenges that current
planning systems are ill-equipped to address. This Symposium on the Intersection of Spatial
Planning, Climate and Social Equity. held on 7-8 June in Newman House, Dublin and led by the
Lincoln Institute for Land Policy and the National Center for Smart Growth at the University of
Maryland, brought together leading international academics and policy-makers to assess spatial
planning policy and processes, and their intersections. in the Gontext of these global challenges.
Organised into ten sessions, the first day focused on spatial planning in Europe and the United States,
and included sessions that addressed trends and disruptors. the current state of planning, new
conceptual frameworks. and a closing session to integrate the day's conversations. The second day
focused on planning for climate change and social equity and closed with a final integrating session.
ICLRD Webinar Series 2022
As with 2021, and again in direct response to COVID-19, and on-going restrictions in gatherings, the
annual conference was substituted with a series of webinars which took place in Qtr.2 and Qtr.3 2022.
The overall theme of the series was 'Post-Pandemic Planning, and included five events. The series
ran from May- November 2022. with each event lasting 75minutes. The programme was as follows:
Date
Theme
LEAD
K(here Land Meets Sea.. Planning Challenges and
Opportunities at the Coast
Dr. Cormac I,lifalsh & Dr.
Heather Ritchie {UU)
Recording and copy of presentations al:
htt
Ili¢lrd.or
120221051061v,,here-land-meets-sea-
lanni
-challen
es-and-o
ortunilies-al-Ihe-coasV
Thrilling Places P05t-Pandemio The Relalionship
bett'ieen Spatial Planning, Healih and lfjlellbeing
15.th June
Recording and copy of presentalions at-.
hlt
12022 108104.,'Ihrivin
lace8-
ost-
andetnic-the-relationshi
-betYieen-s
alial- lannin
heallh-and-l'iellbein
Socielal Resilience as a Strategic Local Capability
Ms. Caroline Creamer.
MUIICLRD
213t
September
Dr. Andrebv Mcclelland.
Universtly of MaTrchester
Recording and copy of presentations at.
hit
-iTriclrd _or
,'2022,,'09.,'211socielal-resilience-as-a-
strate
ic-local-ca
abilit -ho,,,_do-we-build-iU
Cominuling. People and Place. Emerging Perspectlve5
fiom the loELdQE Project
19* October
Prof. Gerrit Knaap.
Universty of fk1aryland
Recording and copy of presentattons at-.
htl s'.Iliclrd_or
120221101191cotninuli
eo
le-and-
lace-einer
in
ers
eclii'es-from-lhe-in
lace-
ro
ecv
Coiniiiuting. People and Place- Critical Reflections
fiom Practice and Implications for Policy
Dr. Bernie O'Donoghue-
Hynes, Local Government
fv1anagefflent Agency
16* November
Recording and copy of presentations at-
htt 5".Iliclrd.or
12022111 i171comniulin
eo
lace-crilical-iefleclions-from-
raclice-and-
licalions-lor-
olic
le-and-
Board)
10

The International Centre for Local and Regional Development
Company Limited by Guarantee
Trustees. Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (contlnuÈd)
Year ended 31 July 2023
These events continue to introduce ICLRD to a new audience of academics, policy-makers and
practitioners.
Briefing Paper Se17es
No papers were added to the ICLRD Briefing Paper Series during this financial year:
Office of the Planning Regulator (OPR).. National Planning Knowledge Group
Established in early 2019, the Office of the Planning Regulator IOPR) in Ireland convened a meeting
of all planning schools across Higher Education on the island of Ireland on 12th May 2019. As a
cross-border research centre with a strong profile in spatial planning matters, the ICLRD were invited
to this meeting. In late 2019. the OPR established the National Planning Knowledge Group (NPKG)-
The ICLRD remains involved,. with the Director attending meetings (with substitution provided by
Board members where required). During this financial year, Ihree meetings of the NPKG took place
online..
3 May 2023"
1 February 2023; and
5 October 2022.
The Office of the Planning Regulator is a funder of the InPLACE project. An update on project activity
was provided at each of these meetings by a member of the InPLACE Research Team.
Department of Rural and Community Development- Higher Education Insbtutions and Research
Network
In October 2021, the ICLRD Directorwas nominated by Maynooth University to sit on the newly
established Higher Education Institutions and Research Network as part of the role-out and policy
SLJPPOrt of the Irish Government's rural strategy, Our Rural Future. During this financial year, the
Network met on the following dates:
11 October 2023.
23 February 2023. and
6 October 2022
Engagement with Government
Since its launch in October 2020. representatives of ICLRD have been engaging with the Shared
Island Dialogue series. Events attended include..
16 June 2023-. Shared Island Dialogue - Education Systems and Connecting Communilies
5 December 2022: 2nd Shared Island Forum
7 October 2022- Shared Island - Shared Opportunity (organised by the National Economic
and Social Council)
Ad-HoG Group for North-south and East-west Co-operation
In June 2020. ICLRD was invited to join a 'loose' grouping of North-south l all-island bodies who have
begun to meet regularly on Brexit and its implications for ongoing cooperation. The Group is being
chaired by the Centre for Cross Border Studies (CCBS). The over-arching objective of the Ad-Hoc
Group for North-south and East-west Cooperation 15 to secure the continued means to cooperate
within and between these islands. Through engagement with key Government Departments and Task
forces. it aims to ensure thal agreements. policies or legislation developed or enacted by relevant
regionalldevolved and national govemments andlor the European Union are conducive of the
maintenance of the conditions necessary for cooperation - Northlsouth and Easuwest. An immediate
priority for the Ad-Hoc Group has been to seek engagement with decision-makers involved ill the
implementation of the Protocol on IrelandlNorthem Ireland.
10

The International Centre for Local and Regional Development
Company Limited by Guarantee
Trustees. Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (continued)
Year ended 31 July 2023
As an ad-hoc group, members are free to engage whenlwhere they feel it is relevant and take a back
seat on other occasions. There are approx. 20 organisations involved at present - from Rural
Community Neiwork, Northem Ireland's Womens, Network. ICTU. Northern Ireland Environmental
Link, Creative Spark, Irish Rural Link. and Co-operation Ireland.
Citizen Rural
The Director has been asked to chair the Steering Group over-seeing the Irish Research Council
COALESE Funded project, Citizen Rural- Digital Data for Participative Democracy in Remote Places.
The project's living lab is County Roscommon, and its overall objective is to consider how robust
social, economic and environmental evidence bases Can be established for rural geographies that do
not have the same infrastructure density as urban places, and how can citizens engage with data for
the co-design of strategies that contribute to the sustainable development of their localities. This is a
two-year project. 2022-2024. Three meetings of the Sleering Group have been held to date (October
2022, Febwary 2023, June 2023). A national conference is planned for October 2023, which the
ICLRD has agreed to co-sponsor. Wilh the Director also helping in the design of the programme, the
Citizen Rural team have identified ICLRD as a co-host of this one-day event.
NetWo￿S
The ICLRD continues to expand tts collaboration with other universities, research institutions and
researchers from higher education bodies such as Mary Immaculate College-university of Limerick,
University College Dublin. and University of Manchester.
We also expanded our joint initiatives with
other organisations involved in cross-border research and activities including Co-operation Ireland.
The ICLRD also continues to engage with the Europe-wide OLA (ObseNatory on Local Autonomy)
Ne￿ork- with both Ms. Caroline Creamer, Direclor, ICLRD (and Maynooth University) and Dr.
Brendan O'Keeffe, Senior Research Associate. ICLRD acting as joint Irish contact points. In
November 2015. Ms. Creamer was appointed Irish Contact Point for the EU-Funded ESPON 2020
Programme, and continues this role for the ESPON 2030 Programme This programme relates quite
closely (o the work programme of the ICLRD. with a core aim of ESPON 2030 being to promote and
foster a European territorial dimension in regional and local development and cooperation by providing
evidence, knowledge generation and transfer and policy learning to public authorities and other policy
actors at all levels.
External Engagement
Over this financial year, the ICLRD was invited to engage in a number of workshops on themes highly
relevant to spatial planning and regional development policy across the island of Ireland. These
included=
18 May 2023= Maynooth University workshop on 'Linking Research with Public Policy,,
22 February 2023: Maynooth Workshop with Southern Regional Assembly on 'Achieving
Regional Equality,
21 February 2023: ESPON Focus Group on 'Borders' (online)
18 January 2023: Galway County Council - Presenlation to Ballinasloe Municipal District on
'InPLACE: Investigating Planning, Place-making and Commuting
14 October 2022: Cork County Council - Presentation to Kanturk Municipal District on
'InPLACE- Investigating Planning, Place-making and Commuting,
11

The International Centre for Local and Regional Development
Company Limited by Guarantee
Trustees. Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (continued)
Year ended 31 July 2023
Peer to Peer Learning
The ICLRD attends a number of conferences over the years based on relevant themes, contributions
to ICLRD'S knowledge-base, and role in building the network. Conferences attended by
representatives of the ICLRD over the current financial year included..
21-22 June 2023: IVI Summit {Maynooth University) - c0-c￿8t1ng the Digital World,. beyond
2027
14-15 June 2023- ESPON Seminar- Territorial perspective of green industrialisation
8 March 2023: OECD - Rural-urban partnerships.. a key tool ft)r recovery
22 February 2023.. Book Launch - InGome Distribution and Redistribution in lTreland- A
Geographical Exploration, Prof. Jim Walsh. Hosted by Maynooth University Social Sciences
Institute, Maynooth University.
8 February 2023: GoGreenRoutes - Near Nature.. Green Space and Environmental Justice,
7-9 December 2022: ESPON Seminar - Entrepreneurial regional governance
15 November 2022- Co-operation Ireland (online) - All-lsland Local Authority Forum Climate
Summit
29 September 2022.. Centre for Cross Border Studies 23rd Annual Conference - Commitment,
Resilience and Perseverance." New challenges and appmaches to cross-border cooperation.
mobility and relations.
28-30 September 2022.. 131h OECD Rural Development Conference - Building Sustainable,
Resilient and Thriving Rural PlaGes
28 September 2022: ESPON Seminar- 20 years of ESPON
8 September 2022: Regional Studies Association Annual Conference, Maynooth University.
The ICLRD continues to explore opportunities to collaborate with other cross-borderlall-island
networks.
Interview Panels
During this current financial year, the ICLRD Director was invited to sit on the following interview
panels:
Donegal County Council- Interviewer for Executive Planner Panel
Interviews: 8. 10 and 22 May 2023.
Maynooth University - Interviewer for Edward M. Kennedy Institute Research Fellow Position
Interviews". 15 November 2022.
Maynooth University - InteTviewer for MUICONFIRM Research Fellow Position
Interviews: 30 September 2022.
Leadership Training
Between October 2022 and August 2023, the Director completed the Aurora Leadership Programme
in Maynooth University. Aurora is a leadership programme developed to address the
under-representation of women in senior leadership posts in Irish and UK Higher Education
Institutions and is targeted at women in academic and professional services roles across all a¢ademic
disciplines and throughout central university services.
12

The International Centre for Local and Regional Development
Company Limited by Guarantee
Trustees. Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (Gonlinued)
Year ended 31 July 2023
Technical Assistance and Support
North West Gateway Initiative
From December 2021 to August 2022, the ICLRD continued to provide expert mentoring of the
NWRDG and Senior Council Staff, and liaise with senior government representatives from the North
West Strategic Growth Partnership. Valued at Stg £24,916 (excl. VAT}, this work programme
included working in partnership with the NSMC Joint Secretariat to advance the priorities for the region
as laid out in the North West City Region IrelandlNorthern Ireland Statement of Regional Priorities
(May 2021) through thematic discussions. Relations with the Shared Island Unit were further
nurtured- and strategic supports were provided to both Councils on joint applications to the Shared
Island Local Government Co-operation initiative.
Building on this, and other support seNices that have been in place since 2015, Donegal County
Council and Derry City and Strabane District Council - with Derry City and Strabane District Council
as the lead - awarded a seven-month contract to the ICLRD. Covering the period September
2022-March 2023, this contract covered a package of strategic supports reflecting the evolving
processes and structures now dominating the growth and development of the North West, and the key
role of the Councils within this. The contract. valued at Stg £26,216 (excl. VAT). supported the
Councils in advancing the programme of works surrounding the North West City Region under the
three pillars, and ongoing liaison with senior govemment representatives from the North West
Strategic Growih Partnership (NWSGP) - both advance of and following Ihe December meeting of
the NWSGP. This included ongoing collaborations with the NSMC Joint Secretariat in advancing the
priorities of the region through both scheduling of. and facilitation of discussions at. thematic
workshops on key priority themes, namely:
27 February 2023: Higher and Further Education: and
16 September 2022; Economy.
The NESC research. Exploring Shared Opportunities in the North West". Findings from Focus Groups,
{Report No. 26) was launched- providing a place-based inquiry of the North West experience of
co-operation. the barriers and the enablers. The focus was on the lived experience of people in the
border areas, with the aim of exploring two integrated thematic issues- sustainability and connectivity.
The report is available here-
htt s.'Ilwww.nesc.iel ublicationslex
lorin
-shared-0
ortunities-in-the-north-wesl-findin
s-from-focus-
rou
sl Discussions continued wsth the North West Planners Forum on advancing the spatial
strategy for the metropolitan area. The Co-Design team was re-activated to progress the priorities of
the region: and a short reflective paper on the NWSGP- Process. Methodology and Learning was
drafted at the behest of the Co-Design Team for Girculation to wider government. The paper
summarises the context, rationale and significance of the North West strategic Growth Partnership
{NWSGP) model as a best practice example of interjurisdictional territorial co-operation and an
important instrument for the facilitation of thematic and institutional co-operation on the
IrelandlNorthern Ireland border. Other key elements of the work programme under this contract
included (not exhaustive):
Convening and facilitating the NW Planners Forum-
Continued advocacy for key infrastructural improvements across the North West City Region.,
Exploring opportunities for poliGy and project alignment with the principles of the EU Green
Convening and facilitation of a Green Transformation Working Group and building on existing
green infrastructure investments as the region positions itself as a living lab for green
transformationlgrowth.
Continued strategic support relating to the securing of funds (including NWRDF) associated
with the regional growth process.,
Convening and facililation of a Climate Change Working Group. and
Provision of capacity building and support in relation to progression of the regional climate
adaptation and regional energy security strategies.
13

The International Centre for Local and Regional Development
Company Limited by Guarantee
Trustees. Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (continued)
Year ended 31 July 2023
In April 2023, the Councils. awarded the ICLRD with a further twelve months contract (April 2023 -
March 2024). Under this programme, valued at Stg £51.284 (excl. VAT), the ICLRD will continue to
support Derry City and Strabane District Council and Donegal County Council - togetherwith other
national and regional stakeholders- in advancing the new structures and processes for collaborative
working around identified shared key priority areas in the North Wesl City Region (NWCR). Under
this programme, key activities will include=
On-going supports to senior management on an advisory and consultative basis, provision of
continued capacity building for the regional development process, with a strong emphasis
being placed on developing the City Region, and associated skills base required to drive and
facilitate it within and across the institutions who are stakeholders to the regional growth
process.
Continued advocacy for key infrastructural improvements across the North West City Region.,
feeding into. as relevanl, policies relating to economic development, sustainable tourism.
heritage managemenu conseNation, green economy. climate adaptation, etc. This will include
opportunities to explore the potential for policy and project alignment with overall EU Cohesion
Policy.
On-going facilitation, advocacy and strategic liaison with key Governmental stakeholders
relating to the growth and development of the City Region through the NWSGP process incl.
one-on-one briefings, awareness-raising of the international development methodology which
underlies the North West project and why it is important not only in Easuwest and Northlsouth
but also in European and global terms. programme development and the ongoing animation of
collaborative multi-stakeholder processes,.
Working in partnership with the NSMC Joint Secretariat, via Thematic Discussions. to advance
the priorities for the region as laid out in the Norlh West City Region IrelandlNorthern Ireland
Statement of Regional Priorities (May 2021). through on-going liaison and development
supports, in areas such as economy, health. tourism, higher education. etc. This has
included. to date-.
15 May 2023: Thematic Workshop- Health. and
28 April 2023: ThematiG Workshop- Tourism.
Continued strategic liaison with members of the NWRDG in the development and nurturing of
EU networks, and the promotion of the NWCR as a strong urban functional Euro-region;
On-going engagement and support to Council-to-council officer networks and initiatives,
including the NW Planners Forum, staff involved in wider the Green Transformation, and
economy and investment cooperation, with a particular emphasis on progressing their
identified priorities-
Continued strategic support on the issue of Higher Education and skills, research and
innovation and the Cross-Border FE HE Cluster for the North West City Region in light of
recent thematic workshop of higher and further education held with NSMC Joint Secrelariat.
As appropriate. supports to project teams working on PEACE PLUS appliGations where the
focus is commensurate with regional growth priorities and the region's ambition-
Engagement with the Department of Housing Local Government and Heritage on the first
revision of the National Planning Framework;
Ongoing supports to the work of the reconvened Core Co-Design Team incl. the Council
CEOS. NSMC Joint secretaries￿E01DFAT. and Department of Foreign Affairs.
14

The International Centre for Local and Regional Development
Company Limited by Guarantee
Trustees. Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (continued)
Year ended 31 July 2023
Building Shared Innovation Ecosystems
In support of the North West Cross-Border Further Education-Higher Education Cluster. the ICLRD
worked closely with Atlantic Technological University {ATU} and UU on the development of a position
paper on 'Building Shared Innovation Ecosystems.. This desk-based research over April-may 2023
considered the role of HEIS in repositioning regions in economic and sustainable development terms,
and improving the competitiveness of locations. The paper contends that HEIS institulions are central
to shaping andlor contributing to regional innovation and building innovation eco-systems.
knowledge-production and labour market up-skilling, attracting and retaining highly-skilled
academicslresearchers- provided they operate to a level playing field. This includes being enabled
to attract 'starf academics at professorship scale and in turn, attract and retain high quality researchers
and funding. The paper was submitted to ATU in May 2023.
PALS Ireland
Discussions continue in exploring options to pilot a PALS Programme in Ireland.
AILG- The 21sl Century Councillor in Ireland
As part of wider discussions being held with Maynooth University, the ICLRD is part of a research
funding proposal being co-designed with the Association of Irish Local Government (AILG) on the role
of the councillor in the 215t Cenlury. This is part of a two-year strategic alliance be￿een AILG and
MU on the research. training and advocacy needs of the AILG members over the short to medium
term. Valued at E34,987 (excl. VAT). this research considers a range of contextual issues that are
reshaping local government. examines the roles that councillors a￿ playing. or recognise that they will
need to be playing, within their organisations and localities, and it explores a number of challenges. as
follows, all of which are pertinent to contemporary local government in Ireland. The research will
contribute to a better understanding of the training needs and capacity building supports required by
Ireland's 949 elected officials. This project commenced in May 2021- and during this financial year, the
international literalure review and fieldwork was concluded. This included 500 survey responses (out
of 949 councillors- a 539/0 response rate), and approx. 48 interviews and 6 focus groups. The
datasets are currently being cleaned and coded. and drafting of the final report will commence in Qtr.
3, 2023. It is intended that the final report will be concluded by Qtr. 4, 2023.
Southern Regional Assembly- Smart Region Definition and Framework to Facilitate Smart Cities
Driving a Smart Region
The ICLRD is part of a wider Maynooth University Team that has been commissioned by the Southern
Regional Assembly in March 2021 to assist them in the development of a Smart Region Framework
that capitalises on the smart city and smart townlvillage initiatives already underway. Valued at
1.576 excl. VAT. this programme involved three work packages:
Work Package {WP) 1- Smart Region Consultation
Work Package (WP) 2- Smart Regions Good Practice Research
Work Package (WP) 3- A Framework Report to Assist Stakeholder Initiatives in Pursuit of a
Smart Region.
The work programme concluded in July 2022, with the development of three reports:
Report 1: Towards a Smart Southem Region: Smart Region Consultation
Report 2: Towards a Smart Southem Region: Intemational Approaches to, and Good Practice
in, the development of Smart Regions
Report 3: Towards a Smart Southern Region: Smart Region Maturity Framework for the
Southern Region
The reports were formally launched on the 18th January 2023 via an online webinar organised by the
Southern Regional Assembly. Details here- htt s-.Ilssrlaunch2023.vfairs.coml
15

The International Centre for Local and Regional Development
Company Limited by Guarantee
Trustees. Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (continued)
Year ended 31 July 2023
Copies of the reports are available on the ICLRD website-
hlt s'.Iliclrd.or
120231041221re
orl-series-informiii
-develo
ment-of-smarl-soulhern-re
ion-launchedl -
and the reports now form part of the Southern Regional Assembly's wider initiative on the 'Smart
Southern Region..
European Parliament- The ImpaGt of Brexit on the Development of Irish Regions and their
Cross-Border Cooperation.
In September 2022, the ICLRD Director was invited to develop a research paper on behalf of the
European Parliament Committee on Regional Development (REGI) focusing on 'The Impact of Brexit
on the Development of Irish Regions and their Cross-Border Cooperation.. The Director invited Prof.
Katy Hayward of Queens University Belfast, a leading expert on Brexit, to co-author the report.
Valued at É13,000, the overall purpose of this report is to explore the impact of Brexit on the
development of Irish regions and their cross-border cooperalion. recognising Ihat cross-border
cooperation on the island of Ireland is no longer primarily covered by common EU single market
membership but is facilitated by a complex arena of legal agreements and policy arenas. Its focus, like
many studies on Brexit. is not confined to the Irish border region but to the whole of Ireland.
encompassing the three Regional Assembly areas - Northern and Western Regional Assembly
(NWRA), Eastern and Midlands Regional Assembly (EMRA) and Southem Regional Assembly (SRA)
o of which directly share a border with Northern Ireland. A draft report was summitted to the
European Partiament in March 2023., and following detailed feedbaGk, a final report was submitted in
May 2023. The report is available to download at..
Main Report:
hll s.'Ilwww.euro
arl.euro
a.eulRe
DalaletudeslSTUD12023173312711POL STU
2023
733127 EN. d
Summary:
hlt s'.Ilwww.euro
arl.euro
a.eulRe
DataletudeslSTUD12023173312711POL STU
2023
733127
SUMO
Cross Border Emergency Management Gmup - A Shared Island Proposal
In April 2023, the ICLRD in partnership with Monaghan County Councillmonaghan County Fire
Service and the Cross Border Emergency Management Group, secured funding under the
cross-border shared island research-funded programme- All Island Disaster Rick Reduction
Research Programme. administered by the Department of Defence, Office of Emergency Planning.
The programme focus is on Public Safety Messaging in Border Communities as part of the Shared
Island Unit's 'AII-Island Resilience. Programme. Running from April 2023 - March 2024. and using
two test-case sites (one located in Northem Ireland and one in Ireland), the research considers=
a) How public safety messaging is currently delivered (digital, hard copy. social media, etc.) and
to what extent this differs on either side of the border,.
bl How public safety messaging is currently understood by different parts of the community (in
terms of age, gender. and ability). and
c) How this messaging could be improved through a co-creation process involving citizen panels.
To date, the research team have been working with the Cross Border Emergency Management Group
(CBEMG) on the identification of the case study sites (namely Clones, County Monaghan and
Lisnaskea, County Fermanagh). and building a database of Current messaging platforms used (both in
terms of context and content}. A series of focus groups are planned for Septemberloctober 2023 -
having been deferred following a traffic road accident in Clones in August. The value of this contract
is E24.390 excl. of VAT.
16

The International Centre for Local and Regional Development
Company Limited by Guarantee
Trustees. Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (conlinued)
Year ended 31 July 2023
Financial review
For the year ended 31 July 2023. income is £116,795 (2022: £133,823) a decrease of £17.028.
Expenditure for the year ended 31 July 2023 is £140.264 (2022: £117.840) an increase of £22.424
largely due to research expenditure.
Reserves Policy
The charity's reserve policy is to retain a level of free reserves which matches the needs of the
organisation both at the current time and in the foreseeable future. The charity has minimal free
reserves of £32.012 and the charity's reserves policy is reviewed annually. Its reserves policy is that
fund5 are to be expended within 18months, which the Executive Committee members consider
appropriate to the charity's circumstances and the timing of funding and expenditure. The charity's
free reserves are total funds. exclLJding restricted funds. The Executive Committee are satisfied with
the year-end financial position and with the prospects for 2023-2024 which matches the needs of the
organisation both at the current time and in the foreseeable future.
The charity monitors its income, expenditure and obligations on a quarterly basis and ￿queStS
sufficient funds from its primary funders to cover its obligations. Activities are programmed to match
expected funding levels on an annual basis.
From 1 August 2020, the ICLRD has been using Xero accounts Sof￿are.
Risk Management
The Executive Committee have assessed the major risks to which the charity is exposed. in particular
those relating to the operations and finances of the charity and are satisfied that systems are in place
to mitigate any exposure to those risks
Annual Monitoring Returns
As of May 2020. the ICLRD is required to file Annual Monitoring Returns to The Charity Commission
for Northem Ireland. The ICLRD filed its fourth return in May relating to the audit period 1 August
2021-31 July 2022.
17

The International Centre for Local and Regional Development
Company Limited by Guarantee
Trustees. Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) {continu8d)
Year ended 31 July 2023
Plans for future periods
The focus of activities for the next audit period (August 2023 to July 2024) is on
the sourcing of funds for the year in question as well as the period 2024-2027,
nurturing new partnership arrangements with the National Centre for Smart Growth Research
and Education (University of Maryland). with discussions well advanced on a new MOU;
advancing a potential new partnership with TU Dublin-
building on the success of the webinar series held in place of an annual conference during
2021 and 2022 in light of COVID-19 and ongoing public health restrictions as a staple of the
ICLRD offering. and returning to hosting of in-person events including an annual conference.,
and
the continued support to the North West City Region, with a key focus on facilitating the North
West Strategic Growth Partnership (NWSGP) and angagin9 With strategic regional and
national stakeholders as appropriate in support of the three regional growth pillars.
The Centre aims to undertake a number of events on topical issues in order to keep ICLRD active in
the policy-praxis space of spatial planning and local and regional development.
The ICLRD management, including both the Executive and Advisory Boards, will continue to review
the Centre
in terms of its structures, operations and funding model. The review will cover such
issues as how the ICLRD canlwill respond to emerging trends, feed into policy across both
jurisdictions, and strengthen the organisational structure.
In funding terms. the objective is to diversify the Centre's sources of funding - with particular attention
to be paid to supporting local government programmes and change management processes. This
includes exploring opportunities under the EU Cohesion Programme 2021-2027 and Ireland-us funds.
The implications of Brextt on the Centre's ability- or not- to avail of opportunities under the fomier will
be kept under constant review by the Board.
ICLRD Event Series 2023-2024
The ICLRD will hold further events in 2023124 - focusing both on ICLRD research and topical policy
issues.
Networking
Supporting Ihe North West.- Under the current contract with Derry City and Strabane District
Council. the ICLRD will be working with the councils and a number of key Central Govemment
Departments in devising new operational structures for the North West under three key pillars
of operation.. a) Regional Economic Growth and Investment., b) Regional Physical &
Environmental Development,. and G) Regional Social and Community Cohesion and
Well-Being. Supports will continue to be provided to the NW Planners Forum and ongoing
collaboration5 With the NSMC in supporting thematic workshop discussions- and associated
follow-on actions - which in tum will feed into future work programmes.
Ad-Hoc Group for North-south and East-wost Co-operation.. The ICLRD will continue to
support the workings of the Ad-Hoc Group, engaging as relevant to ICLRD'S core interests.
Peace and Reconciliation - Fostering Collaborative Action: The ICLRD will continue to explore
the linkages be￿een peace and reconciliation and local and regional development with a
particular focus on identifying key stakeholders interested in looking at the contribution of local
and regional development to the peace process.
18

The International Centre for Local and Regional Development
Company Limited by Guarantee
Trustees. Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (continued)
Year ended 31 July 2023
Plans for future periods (continuedj
PubliGations
Submissions are being sought for new briefing papers as part of the series.
Following completion ofthe InPLACE Phase 11Project Interim Report in September 2022, the
research team are currenlly identifying further articles to be published, both during the
timeframe of this programme and upon its completion - including potential peer-reviewed
journal artlGles.
Maynooth University Business Plan and Ulster University Supports
The ICLRD is currently in its second joint three-year Business Plan arrangement with Maynooth
University and Ulster University. This is quite common practice for niche research centres across
academia. The first Business Plan covered the period {2028-20211,' with the current a￿angement
covering the period 2021- 2024. The Plan represents a financial commitment of f30,000 per annum
for three years-, with both universities agreeing to contribute 500/0 of the 30k pa required to underwrite
the Business Plan. In return. the ICLRD Executive Board commit to securing external funding to
underpin a sustainable business model.
Responding to COVID-19
In May 2020. at the first ICLRD Executive Board meeting held since COVID-19 disrupted normal
working practices in March. the Tnjstees deemed it necessary that the potential impacts of the global
pandemic should be added to the Centre's Risk Register. This has been reviewed at every
subsequent Board meeting. With ICLRD having no fixed assts, pensions assets or investments, the
impact on the Centre's financial statements has been minimal.
In order to protect members of the ICLRD research community. the Trustees moved quickly to reflect
the home-working policies of the core University partners, and to move all meetings (incl. Executive
Board meetings), events and fieldwork on-line. Researchers were encouraged to postpone foreign
travel. As schools and childcare services entered phases of lockdown intermittently, the Trustees
supported flexible working hours. recognising that a number of the researchers needed to balance
work with childcare and home-schooling. The Chair scheduled bi-monthly meetings with the Director
to review projects, tender opportunities, charity financials. etc. and check-in on Ihe welfare of the
research community. These meetings are now a pemianent feature of ICLRD'S governanc8
structures.
The ICLRD is a small, niche research centre whose operating model has always been agile. adaptable
to changing circumstances and accommodating of clients changing needs. This operational model
has assisted the ICLRD greatly in dealing with the disruptions resulting from COVID-19. During
2022123. the ICLRD has continued to support its researchers in remote working to the extent that is
required under ongoing public health guidance and in line with the core university partner guidelines.
As restrictions have, and continue to, ease. the ICLRD is shifting to a hybrid model of both in-person
and on-line activities particularly in relation to meetings and fieldwork.
19

The International Centre for Local and Regional Development
Company Limited by Guarantee
Trustees. Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) fcontinued)
Year ended 31 July 2023
Plans for future periods (continued)
Funding
The ICLRD continues to scope the potential for core funding from a range of agencies - ranging from
central government departments, especially those involved in cross-border cooperation and the reform
of public administration in Northem Ireland and Ireland, philanthropic bodies. and funding agencies.
The ICLRD will also examine the opportunities to develop proposals for the new round of EU funding
programmes (2021-2027)- PEACE PLUS. INTERREG, ESPON, etc. - and explore funding
opportunities among various Govemment Departments (Department of Foreign Affairs 'Reconciliation
Fund,, Shared Island Funds) and other foundations.
Applications submitted over the past three months l or in train incSude-.
All Island Spatial Knowledge Hub.. The ICLRD together with AIRO have been meeting with a
number of regional and national stakeholders on Ihe possibility of pulling together a funding
consortium to support the development of the All Ireland Spatial Knowledge Hub- building on
the emerging results from Census 21 (Nl) and Census 22 (Rol). A written proposal has been
developed to share wilh interested parties. Progressing this proposal is dependent on
restoration of powers to Northern Ireland and greater certainty emerging around Government
budgets.
In December 2022, the Department of An Taoiseach arinounced that a new call under the
HEA North South Research Fund (a Shared Island Unit Initiative) will be issued in 2023. As
of July 2023. this call had not yet been opened. The ICLRD has pulled together a working
group to in anticipation of this call advancing before end 2023.
The ICLRD'S strong reputation in delivering its Executive Training and Animation programmes offers
opportunities to provide this training on a fee basis and with funding from various sources.
Trustees. responslbilities statement
The trustees. who are also directors for the purposes of company law. are responsible for preparing
the trustees. report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United
Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
Company law requires the charity trustees to prepare financial statements for each year which give a
true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and the incoming resources and
application of resources, including the income and expenditure, for that period.
20

The International Centre for Local and Regional Development
Company Limited by Guarantee
Trustees. Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) fcontinued)
Year ended 31 July 2023
In preparing these financial statements. the trustees are required to-
select suitable a¢counting policies and then apply them consislently.,
observe the methods and principles in the applicable Charities SORP-
make judgments and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent.,
state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed. subject to any material
departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements.
prepare the financial ststements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume
that the charity will continue in business.
The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and
explain the charity's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial
position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial ststements comply with the
Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and honce
for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Auditor
Each of the persons who is a trustee at the date of approval of this report confirms that:
so far as they are aware. there is no relevant audit information of which the charity's auditor is
unaware; and
they have taken all steps that they ought to have tsken as a trustee to make themselves aware of
any relevant audit information and to establish that the charity's auditor is aware of that
information.
The trustees, annual report and the strategic report were approved on 22 April 2024 and signed on
behalf of the board of trustees by:
Prof L Magui
Trustee
21